Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Nov 24, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh and European Union have deepened their civil aviation partnership through two major technical events in Dhaka, highlighting strengthened collaboration on safety management and regulatory oversight under the EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project (EU-SA APP).

The EU-funded initiative, implemented by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), hosted a three-day Regional Aviation Safety Programme alongside a specialised workshop on ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), bringing together experts and regulators from Europe and across South Asia.

The first event focused on Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), now central pillars of global aviation safety. Representatives from civil aviation authorities, airlines, and industry bodies from several South Asian states participated.

Technical specialists from European aircraft manufacturer ATR shared operational insights, while South Asian operators discussed best practices in data use, safety culture, and risk management. 

For Bangladesh, the event provided an opportunity to highlight its progress and engage with regional counterparts operating in similar environments.

The second event—USOAP Audit Support Workshop—brought together CAAB officials, EASA experts, and regulators from neighbouring countries to review audit preparedness, documentation standards, evidence management, and oversight strategies aligned with ICAO protocols.

Participants exchanged experiences on maintaining continuous compliance with international safety oversight requirements, reflecting a shared regional commitment ahead of future ICAO assessments.

The Head of Delegation of the European Union Michael Miller and the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq attended the programme.

Ambassador Miller emphasized the “potential for greater EU–Bangladesh cooperation in civil aviation.” 

The ambassador laid emphasis on “a level playing field and highlighting the EU’s offer of collaboration in fleet renewal, green aviation, innovation, and safety. He said the EU views Bangladesh’s aviation sector as “a motor for economic growth.”

Officials and experts noted that the two events demonstrated an evolving technical partnership between the EU and Bangladesh, rooted in continuous dialogue, capacity-building, and shared safety priorities.

The EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project, part of the EU-funded EU-ASIA APP and implemented by EASA, supports cooperation between Europe and South Asia through technical workshops, training, and expert exchanges aimed at strengthening safety oversight and aligning practices with global aviation standards.